Landeskog, Siemens in the fold – and an appreciation

Gabriel Landeskog talks with the media at Pepsi Center last month during an introductory press conference.

Not that it’s a surprise, but the Avs finally inked first-round picks Gabriel Landeskog and Duncan Siemens to entry-level deals today. Landeskog, assuming he makes the team, will have a $3.575 cap hit, with a signing bonus and other potential bonuses that would count against the cap. Landeskog will make the team, it’s a deadbolt cinch. Heck, the Avs need him to make the team just for the cap hit, to get to the floor.

Siemens? Don’t know the bonus situation as well as Landeskog, but it’s a safe bet his cap hit would be in the $2-3 million range should he make the team. Right now, the numbers are stacked against him making the team (don’t forget, he’s only 17), but let’s wait to see what training camp brings. You never know – maybe the kid is all world? Maybe injuries happen in droves?

Time now to wish an old friend and colleague well in a new role with The Post. Terry Frei, my colleague on this beat for the last 16 years and the paper’s overall NHL columnist, will put his considerable talent with a keyboard to work as a big-picture, in-depth feature writer for the sports section now. Yes, you’ll still read hockey stories on occasion from Terry, but not day-in, day-out hockey/Avalanche stuff. He’s given me his permission to make this known.

Terry first started covering hockey for The Post in the 1970s, as the Colorado Rockies (look it up kids, it’s an old NHL team) writer. Yes, that makes Terry old. And it’s also what made him a consummate hockey guy, someone who knew all the nuances of a sport that truly does take many years to learn. Terry covered Don Cherry as a coach. People under 30 in this town generally have no idea that Don Cherry used to be a coach in Denver, and that there once was a team that wore the state flag as a uniform and played at a place called McNichols Sports Arena and used to have a guy named Krazy George pound a drum and wear a wig and shout his lungs out for this team.

Terry later wrote for The Sporting News as a columnist, and also the Portland Oregonian before coming back to Denver in 1995 to be the top hockey guy, overseeing the greenhorn who was me on the newly created Avs/NHL beat.

Terry and I were like an old married couple pretty much from the start. We’re both stubborn, never wrong in our own minds, and we’d bicker, nitpick and disagree a lot. But there was also a ton of respect toward him from my end, always a tacit acknowledgement that, “This guy has paid his dues and done a lot more than you have. When it comes down to it, you’re nothing and he’s somebody. Keep your mouth shut, do the job and earn your own respect.”

Terry taught me a lot over the years, most especially to not sweat the small stuff as much, things that used to make me a complete basket case – little things like a word changed here and there by an editor or wanting to come back at some critic. Basically, not to be so much of a hot-headed idiot at times, a guy who led with his emotions over reasoning too much of the time. Sometimes that could make its way into the things I wrote. I battled a very hot, type-A temper and personality for a long time, and Terry helped me realize that can be: a) Highly unprofessional and b) not worth it. My blood pressure readings, seriously, are much lower and much healthier now because of Terry Frei.

Yes, he also raised the BP at times, but you don’t think that will happen sometimes over 16 years? It will. But overall, I was the better for having worked side by side with Terry.

But this is not an obituary. I’m not writing a eulogy here. Terry’s name will still be in the pages of The Post all the time, and chances are excellent many of his stories will be a treat for hockey fans here. Now, he’ll have more time to devote to one big-picture story at a time. He essentially got a promotion.

Me? I’m still here, for better or worse, Avs fans. I promise to work harder this year than ever – as much as my wobbly back, horrible right foot and tragicomic sleep dysfunctions allow. Mike Chambers will be my primary partner on the beat. Despite a comically John Wayne-ish speaking pattern and the occasional very bad choice in foot attire, Mike is on fire with passion about the game of hockey and is a total news hound who will break stories about the Avs, guaranteed.

Please join me in saying thanks to Terry. And, to you all still reading the drivel here, thank YOU even more.

Terry and Adrian, I dig the beat and can’t wait for hockey season. Keep up the good work and congrats to Terry!

Smell the Glove

Rubbin’s racin’. Right?

Good luck Frei.

Anonymous

AD, all redheads are hotheads, aren’t they?

Brian

Mike Chambers does a good job. I’ll look forward to seeing more Avs stories from him.

Mark T

Congrats to Terry. I always really enjoyed his columns.

On another note, if Siemens makes the team I have officially lost faith in the Avs ability to think clearly. No matter how good he is, he’s not ready for the NHL. He needs more development time. Period.

Bob_W

As a Colorado Rockies(Hockey) season ticket holder I can tell you that although the hair was long on the sides Krazy George was bald on top so I don’t think it was a wig.

Curt

It’s both downright hilarious and ridiculous that people are expecting a 17-year old and an 18-old to make a difference on the most dysfunctional team in the NHL. Wake up people. You all need some serious help if you believe that guys that young are going to make any difference. Also, last time I checked, Joe Sacco was still the head coach. Not Scotty Bowman.

Jon

So you’re basically saying that Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly made no difference their first season? Are you that ignorant? Landeskog will make a difference – book it. We’re good on defense so Siemens won’t get a chance for 2-3 years unless injuries completely annihilate the defensive corps.

Curt

You’re right. Landeskog will make a difference. He’ll be the 5th pylon wearing an Avs sweater instead of just 4 from last season.

Get with the program. Landeskog is not a scorer. He’s also not a defender. He’s Ryan O’Reilly, Part II. O’Reilly is a 3rd liner on the Avs. He’d be hard pressed to be even a 4th liner on a top contender. The Avs had a chance to draft a dominant player in Huberdeau, and they balked. Greg Sherman, Joe Sakic and Craig Billington are idiots.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FXYWXGCGICUOS753U2TXY2ALIA Snags

From the Avs’ own press release:

Despite an ankle injury shortening his season to just 53 games,
Landeskog led Kitchener with 36 goals and finished third with 66 points
(36g/30a). He finished second on Kitchener in plus/minus with a +27
rating. In the first round of the 2011 playoffs, Gabriel shared the
team lead with six goals and ranked second with 10 points in the
seven-game series loss to Plymouth.

Strangely enough, Landeskog appears on the “In the System” roster while his buddy Joakim Lindstrom appears on the regular roster on the Avs’ site.

Conor

I agree with you Snags, Curt your a dumba$$! Landeskog left his home at 16 and made it to the NHL and that alone says a lot about a person. Landeskog is dedicated to the game and it is obvious that he makes a presence everywhere he has been. I guess that doesn’t count for anything though and people need to just forget him, ohh wait he was the 2nd round draft pick I almost forgot that too!!

Funny to hear idiots talk isn’t it

Jsteve21

What, are you Huberdeau’s brother or something? How can you say that Landeskog is not a goal scorer? Look at his stats:
Season Team LgeGP G A PtsPIM+/-2009-10Kitchener RangersOHL612422465102010-11Kitchener RangersOHL533630666127
I would say that 60 goals in 114 games makes him a pretty good goal scorer! We have a potential Calder trophy winner in Landeskog! Time to crawl out from under your rock!

Curt

Juniors is not the NHL. Landeskog will never be a goal scorer in the NHL. Several NHL scouts agree. He’ll be lucky to put in 15 goals and 40 points. He’s a 3rd line winger, at best in the NHL. The Avs screwed themselves. And the double whammy is that they have no 1st or 2nd round picks next year to correct this massive mistake in judgement.

Cody

thank you curt for gracing your trolling presence on this message board. Every players has doubters. Doesnt matter that a FEW scouts dont like Landeskog. Huberdeau has plenty of doubters as well. But one thing every one seems to agree on is Landeskog is the most NHL ready. Huberdeau is fine but Wolski also dominated Juniors like he did, Nhl isnt the QMJHL right? Landeskogs game better fits the NHL right now. Why do you act as if the argument that Juniors isnt the NHL only applies to Landeskog? It applies to everyone who has ever been drafted. Its a terrible argument. Did you consider the scout that said Laneskog could have played in the NHL 2 years ago? or what about the one who said he would score 50 goals if he didnt care about defense.

So go ahead and keep making these claims without giving any argument to back them up.

Thriller2099

That production prediction matches Evander Kane’s production right now. A couple of seasons ago you folks came on here railing against the team for passing him up because he was so much better than Duchene. I’m not saying anything is a lock but I am saying I have more faith in the collective braintrust of the Avs rather than Curt from the Internet.

http://twitter.com/Avalangelist Aaron Musick

Several scouts also agree that his style with the Avs’ talent at center will make him a scorer. They’ve said his never-say-die attitude will get him the results he desires. Which set of scouts are right? Or maybe, they’re both wrong. Wouldn’t that be a kick? Letting the player prove his worth. How original that would be.

Mark T

I love how you can make claims with certainty based on the words of “several NHL scouts”. Unless you are claiming psychic powers it makes you look like a fool when you try to say with certainty what the future will hold. I’ll give you a hint though on draft picks – NONE OF THEM ARE GUARANTEED TO SUCCEED. Every single draft pick, from the first round on down to the 7th round has a chance of succeeding but also has a chance of failing. History is littered with high draft picks that never make it in the NHL. The Avs drafted a player who most people agree doesn’t have the same talent ceiling as Huberdeau or RNH, but easily trumps them in character and NHL-readiness. Yes, he might end up as nothing better than a 3rd liner, but then again Huberdeau could end up as a huge bust. You never know.

Oh, and the Avs do have a 2nd round pick next year – they got one from the Leafs for Liles.

Anonymous

Actually before he was hurt this year he was on pace to score 50.

Puckmeup

Where do you get this stuff dude? Given the tone of your post, it sounds as though you have not seen Landeskog play, haven’t read a single review of his abilities, and never listen to anything anybody says about his play. What do you mean he can’t score or play defense? Are you high? Or simply that far removed from reality in general that you can’t see or won’t see the talent in any player outside of Huberdeau? So if the Avs drafted Hubs, then all would be utopia in Denver? Man, wake up and stop smoking the medical marijuana already!

You’re like the Antelope, eating the cantaloupe, while smoking the medical dope!!! Give it rest before you do some real damage to yourself and others!!!

Anonymous

This is a complete ignorant sh.t head post not really even worthy of going further when mentioning Sakic as and idiot………

K22above

And you’re a hockey Einstein, huh? Get real dude. Landeskog will do just fine in the NHL—-just you wait and see. Personally, I’m damn glad to have him on the team.

Sitgartner

Ya go ahead and call Sakic an idiot then you can try and out wit him in hockey sense. Your an idiot

Vincemel

The Avs scouts have made enough solid picks in the last few years for me to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one. A little faith, a little patience wouldn’t hurt. It’ll take some time before we can pass judgment. I remember lots of living-room GMs saying the Bolts made a mistake after Stamkos’ first NHL season…

Anonymous

Landeskog with Duchene should produce 75 pts and do not forget his power forward presence once he manages to put on 15 more lbs of hockey size. I am happy the Avs did not try to get some skinny Wolski ballerina that is also unproven. Peace Out…………. :)

Anonymous

Are you saying Landeskog will produce 75 points himself with Duchene? Or they’ll combine to score 75? Cuz the former would be great, but the latter would suck.

Mbeckwith146

“Maybe injuries happen in droves.” Respectfully, Mr, Dater, you can drop the “Maybe,” I think if there is one thing that we learned from the second half of last season, it is that they can and do happen in droves. I agree on Landeskog making the team, he is EXACTLY what the team needs, and since there is virtually no one else to compete with him in the categories of size and tenacity on offense, he will get a spot.

Stream

Terry Frei helped to calm YOU down?! Now I have a clue as to where you adopted that uber pessimistic, downcast viewpoint with sprinklings of tragic sarcasm. I agreed with mostly none of what Frei wrote, nor his point of view, although I appreciated his coverage of hockey and the Avs. The only person who can pull that bitter type of character off is Dennis Leary. At least he seems halfway genuine and he gets it right most of the time. Here’s the key, rant and rave about stuff that the majority of people feel the same way about. You can’t just go around crying about EVERYTHING, even if your bite is real.

At least with you Adrian, people around here know that sarcasm isn’t what your good at, it isn’t your bag. Your the nice guy that is relatable. You are just you. And when you go on a speal about something, or are a little downtrodden, or get on a soapbox about something, those of us who know you through these forums know that you are a genuine guy with no pretenses. Your just an open-minded, open-hearted good guy for the most part who is just as passionate about the Avalanche and hockey as those who come to read your blogs. You are approachable, readable, and friendly. And you interact with us all the time as a fellow fan and friend in open discussions. That makes these blogs and articles personable to all the Avs fans who frequent here, and that makes you the right person for what you do.

Michel

Langeskov will be a 25, 30 goals scorer in his third years and more.

Mark T

Wow there are a lot of psychics posting on this blog…

marty44

I’m not taking sides here, but I have to ask –

There are folks claiming that Landeskog will not succeed in the NHL.

Then, there are people claiming he will be a great player.

The interesting part of this discussion is that the people that are claiming that Landeskog will be a great player are the same ones that are also stating that no draft pick is a sure thing.

Hello?

That’s called covering your statement to the fullest extent. Apparently, no draft pick is a sure thing, unless we’re talking about the Avalanche’s draft picks. And it appears that all of them are going to be great players, no question about it.

?????????????????????????

Sean

By and large, Av fans are the biggest hypocrites of any fans of NHL teams. They swear that they are entitled. They would tell you that the Edmonton Oilers did the Avs a huge favor by selecting Nugent-Hopkins and that Nugent-Hopkins will be a bust while Landeskog will be an every year All-Star and MVP. Why? Just because the Avs drafted Landeskog. No other reason. No logic at all.

But god forbid anyone ever be critical of an Avs player or draft choice. Oh, hell no. That’s simply not allowed. We should all bow to the almighty Avalanche and their fans and proclaim that anyone who dons an Avs sweater is some kind of demigod.

Avs fans got spoiled immediately. They never had to endure the heartache that goes along with having a real expansion team. Thus, they feel entitled that their teams should never have to deal with hard times. But, if it in fact does happen to them (as it has the last 6-7 years) it’s just a fluke. They also don’t worry that their team purposely tanked two seperate seasons and lost games on purpose in order to gain a better draft position. That’s how they Avs rebuild. They cheat their way to better draft picks since they cannot overspend and buy their way to the playoffs any longer now that there’s a salary cap.

Typical Avs fans. They’re the hockey equal of NY Yankees fans.

slappywhite

what are you talking about, there is very good logic why lando will be a good player, his stats (im not gunna post them cuz someone here already did) and the fact that the avs have amazing scouting (see Duchene, O’Reilly and others)
my question to you, young lady, is you are saying “avs fans” in the third person, which implies that you are not an avs fan in which case why are you here?
Also i noticed that you mentioned an “expansion team”….you are aware that the avs are a team that was relocated and not a part of any expansion…
the fact is true fans have patience and faith in their team so if some of us are a lil too optimistic, so be it, we’re just here to try to educate others about what being a true fan is all about
Cant wait until next season! GOAVSGOOOO!!!!!!!

Paul

No part of what you said made any sense at any point….Yes, avs fans were spoiled, but we don’t feel entitled to success. We’re allowed to be critical, which is what people are doing here….even more cynically than they should be. So when you say we think Landeskog will be great just cause the avs drafted him, you’re really just talking out of your a.ss. So, from me and the rest of the avs fans, how about you stfu and get out of here because no one likes you and you’re adopted and have leprocy.

Anonymous

wow not sure what the Oilers fans are then they must be the TANK champs. anyhow… I have been critical of Avs players myself especially guys like Stastny and was following them during their garbage yrs in Quebec. Avs simply chose the best power forward with personality they could find this year. So I hope he does well and helps to sell tickets , not expecting him to score 50 dang goals anyhow.

Puckmeup

There are so many things incorrect in your entire comment that I’m surprised no one has sought you out to poke you in your eye for being so lame!!!

I have read maybe one comment about RNH being a bust and it was coming from someone who just wanted to troll for the sake of trolling. Much like you in that regard! So I’m not sure where you’re getting your facts from there. If you were keeping up with this blog for the last couple of months then you would know that several people didn’t even want Landeskog to come here and they wanted Huberdeau instead. However, those same airy-fairy fans are all over Landeskog as if he was there best friend or something. For that, I think those fans need get on board and stop being so damn wishy-washy already and take a stand already. However, plenty of criticism has been doled out right and left regarding many the current players on the team and there have been some very negative comments about many of them. So your argument there is more than weak, it’s just not even close to being accurate.

Also, the Avs fans have endured much heartache over the years and that’s why everyone here is sharing their thoughts around what needs to be changed for the betterment of this team and organization. If you were a real fan, you would be doing the same instead of flapping your gums while spewing out misinformation. They never tanked games for draft picks man…get over that paranoid thinking…it’s not helping you or anybody else.

Typical troll. You’re the Hockey blog equal to a teenage boy on YouTube!!!!

Bob_W

Anytime anyone says that an NHL team purposely tanked you can stop reading because they do not know what they are talking about.

Thriller2099

When someone says that Landeskog will be bad because juniors isn’t the NHL but also says we should have taken Huberdeau because he killed it in juniors, I’d generally consider that to be hyperbole.

Scfrontier

Seems fitting. Terry didnt have the passion for hockey that I would like to see for a beat writer.. When he is on the radio he comes across as not wanting to talk Nhl at all.. He also rarely would blog about the Avs.. And who is this mike chambers guy. Has he ever blogged on this site.

Noahhunter_10

The avalanche scouts did some really good things in the draft this year first a good rugged winger in landeskog enough said. Second the got duncan at number 11 and big tough shutdown d-man. I think the avs should have traded a prospect and a pick for a another first round pick and gotten tomas jurco detroit got a steal at 35th overall pick.I really think huberdeau is going to be amazing the kid is loaded with skill and its just pure talent however i think he wont be a good fit in florida and i think sherman will be the first to call and snag him for a decent player and a pick.duchene oreilly landeskog hishon siemens and pickard will carry this franchise

avs21

So, wait….what? You think Sherman is going to somehow acquire Huberdeau from the Panthers?

Are you serious?

You think the Avs can get him for a “decent player and a pick?” Exactly what “decent player” and what “pick” are you assuming Florida will accept?

I’ll bet you’re assuming that Florida would accept Mueller and a 5th rounder, rather than the package of a Duchene and a 1st rounder that it would take.

Thanks for the laugh.

justin b.

The Avs are going to once again have far too many injuries to be a good team. I see them finishing in the bottom 7 or 8 in the league. Last in the NW for sure. This is a team that just can’t stay healthy. They will regret trading their two draft picks.

Mark T

Pessimism is bad for you. You should try optimism – it makes life much more fun and enjoyable.

I have to get in on this landeskog, huberdeau argument. I will admit that l wanted Hubs over Landy until i watched the draft. Gabriel was built like a man with muscle, Jonathan still looked like a little boy. Very skinny, Hubs and RNH will get pushed around in the NHL for at least 2 years if they were to step right into the NHL. Both are just way to skinny right now. 36 goals in 50 something games for Gabriel isnt too shabby. That being said, if Landy turns into a consistent 30 plus goal scorer i will be happy with that production, If he is just into the 20s i think thats kind of a bust for the second over all pick in the draft. We shall see. Cant wait for the NFL and NHL to start. Watching baseball/MLB is like watching paint dry.

jimbo

You’re about to be very disappointed. Landeskog won’t score more than 10 goals next year, even if he plays all 82 games.

Mark T

Can you tell me what stocks to buy, since you are clearly psychic?
That must be the case, or you wouldn’t be making claims about the future as if you knew them as facts.

Puckmeup

I’m still confused about why everyone keeps placing this expectation on Landeskog to score 30+ goals a season. Especially in his rookie season. Some people have stated that if he only scores 20 or a little more than he wouldn’t be worth the 2nd pick. So if his presence on the team makes an impact as far as carrying other guys to their full potential, then he’s not worth the pick because he didn’t score enough goals? What if he scores 20 goals but has 50 assists, he’s still not worth the 2nd pick? Or, suppose he fits in so well with this young team and pushes guys like Mueller and Jones to score 30+ goals, then he’s still not valued as the 2nd pick?

I’m no expert and have never pretended to be one, but some of these comments just baffle the hell out of me. Last I knew, Hockey was a team sport. And with any team, you hope to nab a guy that will push other guys to play harder. That’s how you win games…not by having one or two superstars on your team and expecting everything to fall into place. Look at what happened when Crosby and Malkin were injured, the Pens struggled against lesser teams when it mattered the most. We don’t need to have a Crosby on our team to win. We just need guys with heart, skill and determination to win.

Lando’s presence on this team will make the biggest difference…just you wait and see.

Mark T

No matter how much of a leader or great chemistry guy he becomes Landeskog will have to produce points to not be considered a bust. If he’s the team captain and heart and soul of the team, but he’s also a career 3rd-liner who never scores more than 15 goals a season, then he’s a bust. That’s not what you want from a 2nd overall pick.
That being said, he certainly doesn’t have to score 30 goals, especially not this season. If he can’t stick as a top-6 forward this year though I think that will be a bit of a disappointment.

Carl

Landeskog really should spend at least one full season in the AHL with the Monsters. The Avs are a long way from being a playoff team anyway. No need to rush him to the NHL. Same goes for Barrie and Elliott.

Give them all a year in the minors. It can only help them.

Mark T

That actually sounds reasonable, but only if the coaches think they would actually benefit from learning in the AHL for a while. Occasionally, young players actually are ready for the NHL and will develop best by playing in the league.

Carl

Landeskog is only 18 years old. He would absolutely benefit from a year in the minors. The Avs really should have had Duchene spend a year down there as well. I completely believe the Avs rushed Duchene into the NHL because they were desperate for some kind of name to attach to the team after Sakic hung them up. We’ve seen Duchene do some good things, but we’ve also seen him make an amazing amount of bonehead plays that I think could have been avoided by having extra seasoning his first two years. He has not put up the production that is generally expected of a 3rd overall pick either. The Avs would be smart not to make the same mistake with Landeskog.

Smell the Glove

Duchene was nearly the rookie of the year and first among all rookie forwards. There is nothing that suggests Duchene was rushed. The fact that he is still capable of making bad plays in the NHL level is not evidence that he was rushed- this is something that will happen if whether you spend a 5 years in the minors or zero. It’s an adjustment for anyone.

The reason why you don’t bring in players up too soon is either they are so young they’re undersized or they’re unable to get enough ice time to develop. You don’t develop because you’re “in the minors” you develop because you’re playing. If Landeskog is going to toil on the 3rd line for 10 minutes a night, then yes, I would absolutely agree that he should not be on the big squad. But if he’s getting 1st or 2nd line minutes he can develop just fine. Duchene is a perfect example of this.

Puckmeup

I think you’re right in that most people will be expect tons of goals from this guy in his first year alone, but I don’t think their expectations are realistic. Ideally speaking, sure, we all want a 2nd rounder to come in a be a huge impact player down the stretch, and if he can do that in his first year, than rock n roll baby…it’s on! But I’m thinking that his presence on the team will make a huge impact in many areas, not just in goals. I don’t know about everyone else, but I want to see more of a 3 dimensional player this year from Lando. While it’s nice to see a lot of goals scored, I find other areas of the game equally important.

Just think…if he’s out there with guys like Duchene, Staz or Hejduk, and plays with the heart and soul that he’s known to have, I guarantee these other guys will produce offensively. Wouldn’t that be beautiful to watch? I would bet money that if this guy only scores 15 goals, he will also have at least 40 assists under his belt too, providing he stays healthy. I don’t think having 55 pts your first season is something to laugh at. Also, do remember what happened when Forsberg came out on the ice for those few games he played with us? Everyone on the team played with more heart than they did previously just because of his presence. I think it was McNab who said something like, “Duchene needs to stop watching Forsberg play and get into his own play”. Then Haynes later said, “I think he heard you because he looks totally different now than he did the 1st period.” Well, all of them did! They just couldn’t score when we needed them to in order to pull off the wins. But they did look different out there when he was out there! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Lando is a Forsberg…but he does posses some traits that other guys cling to.

Kent

Landeskog is an 18 year old rookie. The other guys on the roster who are NHL vets will not be looking to Landeskog for inspiration. Sorry, that isn’t how it works.

Puckmeup

Of course they won’t be looking for inspiration, this isn’t a love song! But they do look for guys that they can gel with it and guys that can improve their game by playing his. The Avs are like any other team in that regard.

BTW, the Avs a lot young dudes on their roster, Duchene and O’Reilly are only 20 and 19. Two years in the league hardly makes you a vet in my book!

avs21

Lando is the most ridiculous nickname. Can’t think of anyone but Billy Dee Williams.

Icewords77

Congratulations to Terry Frei, and Dater, hang in there – now you’re the old guy, and Chambers is the newbie.
Good to see Mueller skating again – hope he can make it back – he’s got good skill and speed – not really getting too enthused yet, but the season is hanging in the background like a friendly shadow – at least thinking about hockey beats thinking about the stock market – HA.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.